Fluidic cycled sprinkler head

ABSTRACT

A sprinkler head for use in a rotary liquid sprinkler intended to spray within a full circle pattern around the sprinkler. Main stream liquid flow in the nozzle is directed through an orifice into either a spray path or into a reaction path. A diversion line is connected into the orifice such that flow therethrough deflects the main stream flow into the reaction path and a nozzle wall downstream of the orifice, is curved to insure adherence of the main stream to a wall of the reaction path when fluid through the diversion line impinges on the main stream flow. A reaction surface is positioned to be contacted by liquid discharged through the reaction path and such contact rotates the sprinkler head.

United States Patent i191 Tibbals, Jr. et al.

[ Oct. 23, 1973 FLUIDIC CYCLED SPRINKLER HEAD Primary Examiner-Richard A. Schacher [76] Inventors: Edward Camp Tibbals, Jr., 240 A"0mey B Deon Cuddle et Brook Pl., Boulder, Colo. 80302; Jack Keller, 951 E. 320 North, Logan, Utah 84320 [57] ABSTRACT A sprinkler head for use in a rotary liquid sprinkler in- [22] Ffled' 1972 tended to spray within a full circle pattern around the [21] Appl. No.: 283,185 s rinkler. Main stream li uid flow in the nozzle is di- P q rected through an orifice into either a spray path or I into a reaction path. A diversion line is connected into 239/251 the orifice such that flow therethrough deflects the Fie'ld 814 main stream flow into the reaction path and a nozzle """"f' wall downstream of the orifice, is curved to insure adherence of the main stream to a wall of the reaction References Cited path when fluid through the diversion line impinges on the main stream flow. A reaction surface is positioned UNITED STATES PATENTS to be contacted by liquid discharged through the reac- 3 6/1961 Coanda, 2 7 tion path and such contact rotates the sprinkler head. 3,42 ,026 l/l969 Carpenter .r 137/820 8 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures lo l2b 1 as 2 1 I3 23 w i wl X 4 *llb l l WW l I9b Wil 22 25b i ;i|s' A 1m1l L l 1 i 7 e l i I llo FLUIDIC CYCLED SPRINKLER HEAD BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to liquid sprinkler heads for use in sprinkler irrigation systems.

2. Prior Art Sprinklers arranged to be rotated by a utilization of the kinetic energy within a liquid flow passing therethrough have long been known and used. A number of sprinklers are in the market which utilize liquid flowing therethrough as a source of energy. In such sprinklers, rotation is induced by mechanically directing side fluid ejections, for example, through valve arrangements, or by cyclically positioning an object in the main stream flow, where it acts as a reaction surface, against which the main stream impinges, to rotate the sprinkler. These known sprinklers involve a number of assembled moving parts that are subjected to rather severe wear. Consequently, such sprinklers are rather expensive to construct and after a period of use may become some what unreliable. Also, they utilize flow disrupting and energy consuming mechanisms in the main discharge path of the sprinkler and do not provide controlled, timed discharges between rotational pulses. The present invention provides a fluidic driving mechanism within a sprinkler head, which can be formed as a single piece, and which does not employ moving parts within the sprinkler head, to induce a diversion of the main stream flow against a fixed reaction member, so as to cause sprinkler head rotation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Principal objects of the invention are to provide a fully fluid operated, low cost, reliable and long lasting sprinkler head capable of full or part circle rotation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fluid sprinkler head having an unobstructed main stream liquid flow path therethrough and one or more reaction paths, containing a fixed reaction member against which the liquid being discharged is cyclically and momentarily impinged, thereby inducing a sidethrust that rotates the sprinkler head.

Other objects are to provide a sprinkler unit that can easily include pressure regulation and an anit-drip control.

Principal features of the present invention include a sprinkler body, arranged to allow a full circle of rotation if one reaction path is used or partial rotation and return if two reaction paths are used, and to provide a fluid flow to a fluidic cycled sprinkler head of the present invention. The sprinkler head has a main stream liquid flow passage including an orifice or nozzle and a spray passage and at least one reaction passage downstream of the orifice or nozzle. A diversion line or tube connected into the main flow passage upstream of the orifice connects into an oscillator having an output that intersects the orifice at right angles thereto and a diverted control fluid portion of the main stream flow is cyclically fed into the orifice to momentarily impinge upon the main stream flow therethrough, thereby deflecting it from a normal travel through the spray passage and into a reaction passage. The sprinkler head is arranged such that when injection of the control fluid into the main stream flow through the orifice is discontinued, the main stream liquid will resume a normal flow path through the spray passage.

The diversion line provides means through which the control fluid, comprising a small portion of the main stream flow is directed into the orifice. Flow through the diversion line or tube is cyclically interrupted by a fluid oscillator placed in the line, such that the main stream liquid flow is alternately deflected from its spray path to a reaction path where it follows the curvature of the reaction path wall until the control fluid input is terminated.

A reaction member is positioned in alignment with the reaction passage such that a liquid traveling through the passage impinges on and deflects the member. The reaction member is arranged such that the force of the liquid striking it induces a thrust reaction in the sprinkler head, that will rotate the head.

The spray passage is open and unobstructed downstream of the orifice and each reaction passage provided has a smoothly curved wall to hold and direct liquid diverted thereagainst by the side thrust of liquid from the oscillator, so long as the side thrust is maintained.

Additional objects and features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and drawings disclosing what is presently contemplated as being the best mode of the invention.

THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the sprinkler head of the invention fixed to a rotating sprinkler housing;

FIG. 2, an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3, a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4, an end view of the sprinkler head of the invention;

FIG. 4a, a vertical sectional view taken on line 4a4a of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5, an enlarged sectional view taken within line 5-5 of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION In the illustrated preferred embodiment a sprinkler 10 has a sprinkler nozzle 11 of the invention affixed thereto. The sprinkler nozzle is mounted on top of a main housing 12 above a conventional bearing unit 12a, FIG. 1. It is to be understood that the bearing unit is mounted on a liquid supply line, not shown, in conventional fashion. Bearing unit 21a allows the sprinkler 10 to be fully or partially rotated so that water sprayed therethrough will be distributed through a full or partial circle, as desired.

Sprinkler 10 includes the main housing 12 and a central body 13 that have an arrangement of diaphragm conventional pressure source connected to a threaded inlet on the lower end of housing 12. A sleeve 15 projects from beneath a diaphragm 16 into cavity 14 such that'liquid in the cavity acts within the sleeve and against the diaphragm 16. Sleeve 15 is outwardly tapered to form a seal 15a at its lower end and the seal is in sliding contact with the inner wall of housing 12. A port 17 formed through the wall of housing 12 interconnects the interior of housing 12 and a diaphragm chamber 19a. The port 17 is positioned to be covered by seal 15a when diaphragm 16 is in its relaxed state and sleeve is in its lowermost position. When sufficient water pressure is developed in cavity 14 to force diaphragm l6 upward, port 17 is uncovered to allow flow through port 17 to the diaphragm chamber 19a of a diaphragm l9, and through a port 19b in the diaphragm to a body chamber 18. When insufficient liquid pressure exists in cavity 14 to bias diaphragm l6 and open port 17, the diaphragm relaxes and seal 15a covers port 17, thereby cutting off liquid flow through the sprinkler 10. Thus, water remaining in the sprinkler feed line after a positive pressure feed has been cut off does not continue to drip through the sprinkler nozzle.

A cap 12b, threaded into an enlarged upper portion of housing 12 engages the outer edge of diaphragm 16 to hold it in place in housing 12. The center portion of cap 12b is raised to provide room for flexure of the diaphragm and a hole 12c through the cap allows free passage of air so that no vacuum will develop or excess pressure will accumulate within the cap to adversely affect free operation of the diaphragm.

Extension 1111 of sprinkler nozzle 11 is joined to and projects outward from the sprinkler body chamber 18, which is formed by the lower portion of body 13 and the diaphragm 19. Diaphragm 19 flexes in response to fluid pressure change within sprinkler body chamber 18. A sealing sleeve 18a depends from diaphragm l8 and slides against the wall of housing 12 on the other side of the housing seal 15a.

The inherent resiliency of diaphragm 19 normally positions sealing sleeve 18a beneath port 17, but, when a predetermined pressure accumulates in chamber 18 the diaphragm is raised to pull sleeve 18a up housing 12 until port 17 is covered by the sleeve. The diaphragm and sleeve thus serve as a pressure regulator, cutting off or restricting flow to chamber 18 whenever a predetermined pressure has accumulated in the chamber, and that opens the port whenever the pressure in chamber 18 has dropped below the predetermined pressure. Consequently, liquid supplied through chamber 18 of central body 13 is supplied to nozzle 11 at a substantially constant pressure.

The sprinkler nozzle 11, shown best in FIGS. 2 and 3, may be formed with a one piece body comprising the nozzle extension 11a and a nozzle head 11b. A central passage 20 is formed through nozzle extension 11a and extends from sprinkler body chamber 18 to head 111). A reducing section 21 interconnects passage 20 and one end of an elongate orifice or nozzle 22 of reduced diameter. The other end of orifice 22 terminates at an abrupt surrounding shoulder 23 of the flared composite discharge passage 24, as shown best in FIGS. 3 and 5.

As best shown in FIG. 2, the discharge passage 24 includes top and bottom walls 25a and 25b which may be straight as shown, or respectively curved, and that are respectively angled up and down from shoulder 23, to the outlet end 27 of the sprinkler nozzle 11. Passage 24 is centrally aligned with orifice 22 and forms a spray path from the discharge end of the nozzle 11. The pas sage 24 also has outwardly curved side walls 280 and 28b that intersect shoulder 23, as best shown in FIG. 3.

Main stream liquid flowing through central passage 20 will normally flow through the orifice or nozzle 22 and be discharged straight through the aligned passage 24 without touching any of the walls 25a, 25b, 28a or 28b, and will pass unobstructed through an aligned, forward spray opening 26 in a reaction member 30. Periodically, however, the main stream liquid is momentarily diverted to touch a wall 28a or'28b whcrcat it attaches and follows along the wall. In following wall 280, the flow is discharged angularly from the outlet end 27 and is directed against a curved or angled reaction surface 3011. Similarly, if the water is diverted to attach to and follow wall 28b it discharges at an angle such that it impinges against the reaction surface 30b. As the water stream hits a reaction surface and angles off, it applies a reactionary force to the sprinkler head and rotates the head about a vertical axis at the bearing 12a. Thus, repeated momentary diversion of the water stream against one reaction surface will result in spraying, through passage 24 when the water is not being diverted, over an arcuate pattern surrounding the sprinkler. The angled reaction surfaces 30a and 30b are fixed to nozzle 11 by braces 29 that connect the top and bottom of each of the reaction surfaces to the nozzle. The reaction surfaces deflect impinging liquid at an angle that is essentially transverse to the axis of rotation of the head.

If the momentary diversion is always against a single reaction surface, full circle rotation will result. If, however, the other angled reaction surface is utilized and the discharge from the sprinkler is cycled against one reaction member during a partial revolution of the sprinkler nozzle and against the oppositely angled one for a similar time period or reversing, partial circle spray is obtained.

Momentary diversion of the main stream within passage 24 to achieve attachment to wall 28a is accomplished by providing a side thrust to the main stream through use of a divided diversion line 31, having one end 31a connected upstream of orifice 22 and having other ends 31b and 310, respectively connected into opposite sides of the orifice 22 via a conventional fluid oscillator 32. The oscillator is connected in the line 31 and alternately blocks and permits flow through line 31 from end 31a to end 31b or 310. It should be apparent that, if necessary the oscillator can have additional connecting lines, not shown, to the central passage 20. One or more conventional on-off valve, not shown, can also be placed in line 31, downstream of the oscillator 32 to regulate flow through ends 31b and 310 to opposite sides of orifice 22, whereby diversionary flow to one or the other of the opposite sides may be cut off. Any conventional or suitable oscillator can be used, either fluid or mechanically controlled. Thus the usual coil spring returned, fluid powered oscillator used in the sprinkler head of-many known sprinklers can be used, for example. The oscillator must be set to determine the time period for feed to each end 31b and 310, (FIG. 3) with consequent regulated reversal of pivoting of the sprinkler nozzle.

Liquid periodically passed through the oscillator to an end 31b or 310 of line 31, impinges on and supplies a side thrust to the main stream flow through orifice 22 to cause the main stream flow to bend and to adhere to a wall 28a or 28b. The liquid flow jet is therefore diverted a few degrees out of the passage 24, instead of traveling on through spray opening 26 to turn the sprinkler by impinging on the reaction surface 30a or 30b as previously described. As soon as flow through the oscil- Iator is stopped and the impinging flow is cut off the main flow stream again flows out opening 26.

As shown best in the enlarged view of FIG. 5, the shoulder 23 must be made small enough that when the main stream flow is acted on by the impinging flow, the

main stream flow will readily attach to a wall 28a or 281; and will then impinge on the associated reaction surface 30a or 30b. However, the shoulder must also be sized such that the main flow attachment to wall 28a or 281; is not maintained after the diverting impinging flow through line 31 is cut off.

The sprinkler may be made as a single piece, from a plastic or brass, or likernaterial, or it can be formed in a number of sections, joined together, substantially as shown. Diversion line 31 is shown attached to the outside of nozzle extension 11a and the fluid oscillator 32 is mounted in the diversion line. It should be obvious, however, that diversion line 31 could be formed within the nozzle extension 11a, and that fluid oscillator 32 could be inserted into an appropriate body opening formed therefor.

Although a preferred form of our invention has been herein disclosed, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is made by way of example and that variations are possible without departing from the scope of the hereinafter claimed subject matter, whichsubject matter we regard as our invention.

We claim:

1. A sprinkler head comprising a hollow body having atop and bottom interconnected by a side wall and liquid inlet means thereto at the bottom thereof;

an outlet from the side wall of said body;

means for attaching a bearing unit to the bottom of said body;

a sprinkler nozzle comprising a nozzle extension having a central passageway therethrough interconnecting the outlet and a sprinkler head,

an orifice in the sprinkler nozzle having a flow path therethrough in axial alignment with the central passageway and a discharge end,

an abrupt shoulder at the discharge end of the orifice,

a spray opening through the sprinkler head in alignment with the orifice and at the discharge end thereof,

a curved diversion passage having one end connected to the shoulder at the discharge end of the orifice and the other end extending from the sprinkler nozzle outwardly of the spray passage,

a diversion member carried by the sprinkler nozzle and positioned to deflect flow through the diversion passage transversely to the axis of rotation through the bearing unit and the body;

a diversion line interconnecting the central passageway and the orifice, and

means in the diversion line to cyclically allow flow therethrough from the central passageway to the orifice.

2. A sprinkler head as in claim 1, further including pressure regulator means to cut off flow through the sprinkler nozzle when the pressure at the nozzle reaches a predetermined maximum.

3. A sprinkler head as in claim 2, further including means to prevent flow through the head until a predetermined pressure exists at the inlet means.

4. A sprinkler head as in claim 2, wherein a central body surrounds the outlet and the nozzle extension and is connected into the central body; and

the pressure regulator means comprises a diaphragm stretched across said central body in surrounding relationship to the housing and a valve carried by said diaphragm and sliding on said housing to open and close the said outlet.

5. A sprinkler head as in claim 1, further including means to prevent flow through the sprinkler nozzle until a predetermined pressure exists at the inlet means.

6. A sprinkler head comprising a body having an inlet and an outlet;

a sprinkler nozzle connected to the outlet;

an orifice in the nozzle having an inlet end and an outlet end;

means forming a spray passage at the outlet end of the orifice, said spray passage providing an unobstructed path for flow discharging straight through the orifice;

an abrupt shoulder at the outlet end of the orifice;

at least one diversion member carried by the sprinkler nozzle outwardly of the orifice and spaced from the spray passage;

wall means forming a curved diversion passage for each diversion member each said passage having one end connected to the shoulder and the other end terminating at the diversion member whereby fluid following the said curved diversion passage is substantially transversely turned by the diversion member; and

side thrust means for periodically switching flow through the spray passage to the diversion passage and for holding the fluid against the wall means of said diversion passage.

7. A sprinkler head as in claim 6, wherein the side thrust means includes at least one diversion line providing flow from upstream of the orifice inlet end to the adjacent shoulder and oscillator means in each diversion line to cyclically allow flow therethrough.

8. A sprinkler head as in claim 7, wherein two side thrust means are provided and the diversion lines thereof are oppositely positioned adjacent the shoulder. 

1. A sprinkler head comprising a hollow body having a top and bottom interconnected by a side wall and liquid inlet means thereto at the bottom thereof; an outlet from the side wall of said body; means for attaching a bearing unit to the bottom of said body; a sprinkler nozzle comprising a nozzle extension having a central passageway therethrough interconnecting the outlet and a sprinkler head, an orifice in the sprinkler nozzle having a flow path therethrough in axial alignment with the central passageway and a discharge end, an abrupt shoulder at the discharge end of the orifice, a spray opening through the sprinkler head in alignment with the orifice and at the discharge end thereof, a curved diversion passage having one end connected to the shoulder at the discharge end of the orifice and the other end extending from the sprinkler nozzle outwardly of the spray passage, a diversion member carried by the sprinkler nozzle and positioned to deflect flow through the diversion passage transversely to the axis of rotation through the bearing unit and the body; a diversion line interconnecting the central passageway and the orifice, and means in the diversion line to cyclically allow flow therethrough from the central passageway to the orifice.
 2. A sprinkler head as in claim 1, further including pressure regulator means to cut off flow through the sprinkler nozzle when the pressure at the nozzle reaches a predetermined maximum.
 3. A sprinkler head as in claim 2, further including means to prevent flow through the head until a predetermined pressure exists at the inlet means.
 4. A sprinkler head as in claim 2, wherein a central body surrounds the outlet and the nozzle extension and is connected into the central body; and the pressure regulator means comprises a diaphragm stretched across said central body in surrounding relationship to the housing and a valve carried by said diaphragm and sliding on said housing to open and close the said outlet.
 5. A sprinkler head as in claim 1, further including means to prevent flow through the sprinkler nozzle until a predetermined pressure exists at the inlet means.
 6. A sprinkler head comprising a body having an inlet and an outlet; a sprinkler nozzle connected to the outlet; an orifice in the nozzle having an inlet end and an outlet end; means forming a spray passage at the outlet end of the orifice, said spray passage providing an unobstructed path for flow discharging straight through the orifice; an abrupt shoulder at the outlet end of the orifice; at least one diversion member carried by the sprinkler nozzle outwardly of the orifice and spaced from the spray passage; wall means forming a curved diversion passage for each diversion member each said passage having one end connected to the shoulder and the other end terminating at the diversion member whereby fluid following the said curved diversion passage is substantially transversely turned by the diversion member; and side thrust means for periodically switching flow through the spray passage to the diversion passage and for holding the fluid against the wall means of said diversion passage.
 7. A sprinkler head as in claim 6, wherein the side thrust means includes at least one diversion line providing flow from upstream of the orifice inlet end to the adjacent shoulder; and oscillator means in each diversion line to cyclically allow flow therethrough.
 8. A sprinkler head as in claim 7, wherein two side thrust means are provided and the diversion lines thereof are oppositely positioned adjacent the shoulder. 